Water in bilge

[Pilot]

With our 370 DA seems we've always had an inch or 2 of water in the bilge. We keep the canvases on when not using it and still seem to get water.

Is this normal? Or, should I be concerned?

 

[Gofirstclass]

It's normal on many boats. When the water level gets high enough it activates the switch that turns on the pump. The pump pumps the water UP the hose to the fitting that goes through the side of the hull.

When the water level drops, the pump switch shuts off the pump. At that point the water that is in the hose flows back down into the bilge. So there's always a couple of inches of water standing in the bilge.

If you haven't already done it, put a diaper (oil absorbent pad) in that area of the bilge so no oil gets pumped out with the bilge water.

 

[Strecker25]

Or you could be as insane as I am and shop vac the rest out. I started doing that last year and it has become an obsession to chase down every little leak. Things like the arch valence, velcro flaps on canvas, and even the canvas snaps were all leaking a little water. I'm getting closer to no water coming in, but its a constant battle.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Check the shaft logs /rudder logs for excessive leakage

 

[Little Ducky]

There are a few post on this subject and one that helped me out the most was the one taking about using a shop vac to vac out all the water and watch to see where it was coming from.

I also have water in the bilge and it was noted on my prepurchase survey that I needed some work on my port side transom. So to confirm I vac'ed out all the water and then went in with a flashlight and confirmed the location of the leak and actually found another in a fresh water fitting.

Since the boat is in a covered slip my goal is to have a dry bilge.

 

[Pilot]

Thanks All, sorry I just got back to this. I will definitely vac it out and see if I can find anything. Since its a fairly new boat, I don't believe I should have any cracks etc that would be leaking. I do notice some moisture on the 2 stuffing boxes, but, I was told by a Searay mechanic that those rarely need to be serviced i.e. re-packed. Not sure if thats true, but again, newer boat (2008).